Starting a Business with a Baby
The first few weeks with a new baby are filled with fear and questions, but then you relax into parenthood and start to think about the future. Becoming a solo business owner is the perfect way to combine parenting and acting on that great business idea.
Like many soloists I started my business to fit in with a change in circumstances – the birth of my son in May 2006. Before then I was freelancing and working full-time. When I finished my contract and was faced with finding work around being a mum, I decided freelancing from home was the best solution – and I didn’t have to put up with any more office politics!
My solution worked well for me, however I am lucky to have parents who were willing to look after my son for a day each a week. As my business grew I knew I needed more than two days to work and investigated childcare options. My son, who is now nearly three, happily goes to “school” two days a week, as well as looks forward to his days with “Granny and Poppy” and “Pa and Nanny”. My husband and I agreed I would limit working at evenings and weekends so we could spend time together as a family, but I know many successful business parents who wait until their children are asleep and then start work. My point is that being a solopreneur means you can work to suit yourself.
As I started a business that needed very little initial investment, I didn’t have to budget costs. I already had a computer, pens, notepads, phone and a car and needed nothing else when I started out. The same went for getting advice from business advisers, accountants or solicitors, but I did need to check whether I had to register for GST (I wasn’t earning enough!). Initially operating under my own name, I decided last year I wanted a “proper” business and so registered a business name, commissioned a designer for a logo and business cards and set up a website. I haven’t looked back since and can now afford to be picky about the work I take on.
However, I did learn some valuable lessons as I navigated being a business owner and mum at the same time.
- Young babies never sleep for as long as you’d like them to so you can finish that important project;
- Putting clients first means it is inevitable that you will need to work some nights or weekends because there are always days that don’t go to plan, especially when children are involved;
- Be careful about saying “yes” to every project that comes your way when starting out because not every client is right for you or your business;
- Factor in time to get out and speak to other business owners, both parents and non-parents, so you can share experiences – both professional and those that involve mashed vegetables.
- Never beg a child to go to sleep so you can work – they sense desperation and feed off it.
- If you have to work while your child/ren is with you, let them play where you can still see them from your office/desk/corner of the dining table or take advantage of hour-long DVDs.
For more from Johanna Baker-Dowdell head to Strawberry Communications
Biography: Johanna Baker-Dowdell owns and runs Strawberry Communications, a writing and public relations service to help businesses tell their story. Strawberry Communications is based at Wamberal and was launched in 2007.
For more information email johanna@strawberrycommunications.com.au or log on to http://www.strawberrycommunications.com.au/
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